Hot Summer Tips To Protect Your Hair From UV Rays

Summer sun rays, chlorine & salt water can make natural hair look dull, feel like straw and can fade your new coppery color. Just as you want to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA & UVB rays, you should exercise the same level of care when protecting your hair. Summertime sun protection doesn’t just mean taking care of your hair when you are on the beach or sipping cocktails poolside. You should be just as conscious of the sun’s damaging rays whether you are walking the dog or manicuring your lawn.

Protect you hair this summer with these tips:

1. Cover your hair! It’s your best line of defense in protecting your hair: get a good hat (wide-brimmed) if possible, or get creative with scarves that hide your hair from the sun.

2. Braid your hair or wear a ponytail when swimming. It will protect some of your hair from chlorine or salt water effects.

3. Rinse hair immediately after swimming in chlorinated water and use a conditioner with a low pH value (about 3.5) to smooth the cuticle and lock color particles in.

4. Use a quality conditioner with moisturizing ingredients to deep condition your hair on a weekly basis during the summer. Look for ingredients such as wheat germ, jojoba oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, silk amino acids, etc. You can opt for mixing a few oils together. Applied to the ends of your strands, these oils will work great on frizzy hair.

5. Avoid products that contain synthetic oils such as mineral and/or petrolatum oil, as they further dehydrate your hair. Also avoid products that contain drying alcohol, such as hair spray, mousse and some gels.

6. Your hair requires gentler treatment during the summer. Use a specific mask to make it soft and rinse it with fresh water to seal the hair cuticle and impart natural shimmer. Allow your hair to dry naturally do not use hot styling tools (blow dryers, hot irons, rollers).

7. Pay special attention to the ends of your hair; after all, they are the oldest part of the hair. Mix a bit of a conditioner with some natural oil, apply, and comb through ends; leave it on for extra protection.

8. Wear a PVC-free swim cap that thoroughly protects the hair when possible.